Just like human babies, puppies are also protected from many diseases when taking mother’s milk. They receive antibodies from the mother’s milk which acts as their defense from many illnesses. However, these maternal antibodies will decrease in the puppy’s first few months. For you to start giving the puppy vaccination, these antibodies need to drop further, because they neutralize the vaccination. For these reasons, puppies are given vaccinations in a series.

Types of vaccines given to puppies

The first vaccination given to a puppy is known as core vaccine and it should be given when the puppy is about 6 to 8 weeks of age. The second type of vaccine is known as booster vaccine, and it should be given every 2 to 4 weeks until the puppy is about 16 weeks old.

As a pet owner, you should make sure your puppy receives all the necessary vaccines before taking him to public places such as parks where he will meet other animals that could easily spread diseases. You must also ask your veterinarian when your puppy will be fully vaccinated so that you can know if it is safe to go with him in public places.

When your puppy is not fully vaccinated, you should avoid taking him to public places or other places where other dogs might have been to. Yes, you can take him out but carry him so he is not exposed to environments where he can get diseases and keep away from other dogs.

Everything you need to know about adult dog vaccination

As your puppy grows into an adult, he will still need vaccination so that his immune system remains strong to fight against diseases. Your adult dog will now need core vaccination every 3 years. However, it will depend on the duration of immunity provided by the vaccine your veterinarian uses. So, make sure you ask them which vaccination they use on your dog.

Types of vaccines given to adult dogs

Generally, vaccines fall into two categories:

Core vaccines: These types of vaccines protect your dog from diseases that are a threat to him no matter the life style he lives. These diseases include, canine parvo virus, adenovirus, distemper, rabies, parainfluenza type two.

Non-core vaccines: The most common types of non-core vaccines are known as leptospirosis and Bordetella. Leptospirosis is recommended for dogs that travel a lot, while Bordetella is for dogs that like to visit off-leash areas.

How to care for your dog after vaccination

When your dog received vaccination, he may not be as active for a day or two. He will possibly swell in the injection site area and this will be painful for him. For him to recover quickly, he will need your care. So, make sure he has easy access to water and food, their resting area should be comfortable but most importantly, clean. However, if your dog remains in pain for more days and his response seems more severe, do not hesitate to contact us for advice.

Before you make any decision on which type of vaccine to use for your puppy or adult dog, call us and will advise a suitable vaccination regimen for your furry friend.

A detailed look into the types of diseases your dog needs vaccination against

Below we will take a detailed look into infectious diseases of dogs that we vaccinate against. At the end of this article, you will be able to decide which vaccination is best for your dog.

Canine parvovirus:

This type of disease is known to affect dogs of all ages, but is known to be severe in puppies and older adult dogs. The disease attacks the intestines and will then lead to diarrhea that is blood stained, severe abdominal pain and continuous vomiting. Some dogs do not survive from this virus, they die from dehydration even after receiving the best veterinary care. If your dog gets infected, keep him away from other pets to avoid spreading. Also make sure the infected dog lives in a clean environment to prevent the spread of the disease.

Canine distemper:

Young puppies are at the highest risk of getting this contagious disease. However, dogs of any age can be affected too. Most common symptoms of infection include fever, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and depression. In most cases, treatment is ineffective and recovery rate is low.

Canine Hepatitis:

This is another fatal contagious disease dogs suffer from. It affects dogs of any age, however, if your dog is over two years of age, he is likely to recover from the infection after receiving vaccination and proper care. The most common symptoms of being infected include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and depression.

Canine Cough:

This disease is highly infectious and can be spread in public places such as parks, shows, etc. Symptoms include a dry hacking cough that persists for about a month.

Canine Coronavirus:

Most common symptoms of this contagious virus include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and depression. It is mostly common in young dogs.

Canine Leptospirosis:

This canine disease is fatal. Your dog can get the disease from contaminated food and water. Rats are responsible for spreading this disease. So as a pet owner you need to make sure your dog lives in a clean environment free from pests.

Protect Your Dog Against Leptospirosis

A NEW vaccine with broad protection is now available. Call the clinic to make an appointment today.

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Is Your Dog at Risk of Leptospirosis?

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Almost all dogs, regardless of breed or lifestyle, can be at risk of leptospirosis infection. This is why protection is essential.

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Antibodies obtained from their mothers’ milk provide “temporary” protection against a variety of ailments for the kittens that consume the milk. During the first few months of a kitten’s life, maternal antibodies begin to wane; but, until such time as they fall a significant amount, they are also able to neutralize immunizations. This is the primary reason why a kitten has to undergo a course of vaccines.

Adult Cat Vaccination

Over time, the protection provided by a vaccine for a kitten will wear off, and your cat will once again be at risk of contracting an illness. Your pet will have the greatest possible protection throughout its whole life if they get routine checkups and immunizations on an annual basis.

A Guide to Cat Vaccination

At or after 8 weeks of age, first immunization regimens should offer at least two shots against any or all of the following: feline panleucopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, Chlamydia, and leukemia virus. These vaccinations should be spaced out between three and four weeks. At or after 8 weeks of age, it is suggested to provide three immunizations against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), spaced out between two and four weeks each.

Following Vaccination Follow-Up Care

After receiving vaccinations, your cat may seem lethargic for one or two days, or the area where they were injected may show signs of minor swelling or pain. Access to food and drink and a comfortable space to relax are typically all that is necessary for a rapid recovery. On the other hand, you should get in touch with us for some guidance if the reaction seems to be more serious.

Please give us a call so that we may discuss an appropriate immunization schedule for the kitten or cat that you keep as a pet.

Infectious Diseases in Cats That We Vaccinate Against

Feline Enteritis:

Feline Enteritis is a disease that is highly infectious and has a high mortality rate, particularly in kittens less than one year old. Cats who are pregnant have the risk of either losing their young or of giving birth to kittens that have abnormalities, most often brain injury. Depression, a lack of appetite, excessive vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes accompanied by blood, and severe stomach discomfort are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Due to the ease with which the virus may spread, places that are extensively infected may need cleaning with a specialized disinfectant. Even after they have been cured, cats may harbor the virus for an extended period of time and infect other felines.

Feline Respiratory Disease (Catflu):

The feline herpesvirus (also known as feline rhinotracheitis) and/or the feline calicivirus are responsible for 90% of the occurrences of this condition. The respiratory illness that affects cats may strike at any age, although it is more common in small kittens, Siamese, and Burmese cats. It is very infectious and may result in symptoms such as coughs, sneeze, runny eyes, nasal discharge, appetite loss, and ulcers on the tongue.

The mortality rate is very low, with the exception of very small kittens; nonetheless, the sickness is painful and may continue for many weeks. Cats that have recovered from the sickness are still capable of carrying and spreading the virus for extended periods of time, and they may display symptoms of the illness once again if they are agitated.

Chlamydia:

Up to thirty percent of cats might get a severe and chronic conjunctivitis due to feline chlamydia. Chlamydia causes more severe symptoms in kittens who are also infected with “Cat Flu,” and Chlamydia may be transmitted for many months after an infection has cleared up. Clinical illness may be avoided to some extent by receiving vaccinations against cat flu and Chlamydia.

Feline Leukaemia:

The feline leukemia virus is responsible for the development of the dangerous illness known as feline leukemia, which affects cats. The virus causes damage to the immune system and is connected with symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, mucous membranes that are white or yellow, vomiting, diarrhea, reproductive issues, increased vulnerability to other infections, leukemia, and tumors. There is a possibility that many cats are infected but display no symptoms at all.

Roughly one third of cats who get infected will carry the virus for the rest of their lives and may shed it in their saliva, tears, nasal secretions, and urine. The illness is then passed on to cats who do not already have it by activities like as mutual grooming, fighting, sneezing, or even flea bites.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV):

An infection with the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is the cause of the sickness known as “feline AIDS,” which is a disease that damages the immune system of cats. Their natural defense against the onslaught of other illnesses may be substantially compromised, in a manner strikingly similar to that of AIDS in humans. This sickness cannot be passed on to people since it is not contagious.

The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is nearly often passed on to other cats via the bites of infected cats. Saliva contains the virus that is responsible for causing the sickness.

Some infected cats may not show any symptoms of the sickness, while others will exhibit the early signs of the illness, which include fever, lack of appetite, diarrhoea, lethargy, and enlarged lymph nodes. As the condition continues, signs like as weight loss, ulcers in and around the mouth, eye lesions, poor coat, and persistent infections may appear. Eye lesions may also cause vision problems.

After a while, the immune system can no longer effectively defend the body against additional illnesses and infections. As a direct consequence of this, the cat might end up passing away from one of these later illnesses.